1.
What is the TTAP Method©?
The method is a structured nine step process utilized in group therapeutic recreation programming for well individuals, published in 2007 by Health Professions Press for those needing some assistance and those in skilled nursing care. It enhances an aging individual’s cognitive abilities, builds their self-esteem, and improves their memory. The process is designed to be person-centered by stimulating reminiscing through themes. These themes can come from the environment, such as weather, culture, seasons, holidays or themes can be personal such as themes of family, love, and relationships. Once a theme is chosen through group discussion (which is the first step) the participants engage in creative arts sessions that involve music, meditation, painting or drawing, sculpture, movement, poetry, food programs, theme events or parties, and phototherapy. Traditionally, group programming does not “link” one activity to the next, which I believe creates a deeper meaning for the participants and therapist.
The method is a structured nine step process utilized in group therapeutic recreation programming for well individuals, published in 2007 by Health Professions Press for those needing some assistance and those in skilled nursing care. It enhances an aging individual’s cognitive abilities, builds their self-esteem, and improves their memory. The process is designed to be person-centered by stimulating reminiscing through themes. These themes can come from the environment, such as weather, culture, seasons, holidays or themes can be personal such as themes of family, love, and relationships. Once a theme is chosen through group discussion (which is the first step) the participants engage in creative arts sessions that involve music, meditation, painting or drawing, sculpture, movement, poetry, food programs, theme events or parties, and phototherapy. Traditionally, group programming does not “link” one activity to the next, which I believe creates a deeper meaning for the participants and therapist.
2. Why are so many healthcare providers, caregivers,
and educators not familiar with all the ways we can encourage brain growth and
cognitive functioning in our seniors?
The neuroscientific research findings are very recent. Up until 2000 we couldn’t even “look” into a living brain. The invention of the CAT and PET scans in 2000 and 2001 gave the medical field great insight into how the brain functions, how Alzheimer’s disease spreads through the brain and what functions are directly affected by the invasion of abnormal plaques and tangles. These medical advances also formed the groundwork of may research studies published after 2001 in which the neuroscientist began to identify how the brain ages, and identified specific areas of the brain function such as the hippocampus and why it is crucial to keep our brains stimulated throughout the life span by the involvement in both right and left brain activities.
The neuroscientific research findings are very recent. Up until 2000 we couldn’t even “look” into a living brain. The invention of the CAT and PET scans in 2000 and 2001 gave the medical field great insight into how the brain functions, how Alzheimer’s disease spreads through the brain and what functions are directly affected by the invasion of abnormal plaques and tangles. These medical advances also formed the groundwork of may research studies published after 2001 in which the neuroscientist began to identify how the brain ages, and identified specific areas of the brain function such as the hippocampus and why it is crucial to keep our brains stimulated throughout the life span by the involvement in both right and left brain activities.
3. With the first 78 million Baby Boomers entering
their late stages of life, are we on the brink of an Alzheimer’s epidemic?
The National Alzheimer’s Association, in April of this year published an article in AARP with a headline that read “10 Million Baby Boomers are expected to be afflicted with AD over the course of their lifetime.” Statistics indicate that by the year 2010, the oldest of the Baby Boomers will reach 65. The statistic that is truly looking like an epidemic is when in the year 2020, the oldest of the 78 million Baby Boomers will hit the age of 75. This is the age in which many cognitive impairments start to present themselves, such as Mild Cognitive Impairments (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease, Picks disease, stroke and other vascular problems. Alzheimer’s disease is the fourth leading cause of death following, cancer, heart disease and stroke. AD is one of the most expensive diseases to treat due to the length of the disease process, which currently averages 20 years.
The National Alzheimer’s Association, in April of this year published an article in AARP with a headline that read “10 Million Baby Boomers are expected to be afflicted with AD over the course of their lifetime.” Statistics indicate that by the year 2010, the oldest of the Baby Boomers will reach 65. The statistic that is truly looking like an epidemic is when in the year 2020, the oldest of the 78 million Baby Boomers will hit the age of 75. This is the age in which many cognitive impairments start to present themselves, such as Mild Cognitive Impairments (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease, Picks disease, stroke and other vascular problems. Alzheimer’s disease is the fourth leading cause of death following, cancer, heart disease and stroke. AD is one of the most expensive diseases to treat due to the length of the disease process, which currently averages 20 years.
4. You have made a breakthrough in developing
activities for the elderly. How receptive have the field of gerontology and the
expressive arts therapy professionals been receptive to your contributions and
ideas?
There are a number of areas within the field of healthcare that has had very positive responses through peer review applications for national organizations. The American Art Therapy Association, The American Therapeutic Recreation Association, The Gerontological Society, The American Society on Aging and Society on Arts in Healthcare all have sponsored training courses and day long seminars on the TTAP Method©.
The TTAP Method has received numerous awards including; New York State Therapeutic Recreation Association Distinguished Service Award in 2007. The New York State Therapeutic Recreation Association most innovative program award, and the New York City METRO award for Special Recognition. Additionally, I have been nominated for the highest award given by the American Therapeutic Recreation Association, The Distinguished Fellow Award for 2008. To date, the book has been purchased by over 75 university libraries across the United States. Lastly, but most significant, I am a recipient of two Fulbright Specialist Awards (2007/2009) in Global Health.
There are a number of areas within the field of healthcare that has had very positive responses through peer review applications for national organizations. The American Art Therapy Association, The American Therapeutic Recreation Association, The Gerontological Society, The American Society on Aging and Society on Arts in Healthcare all have sponsored training courses and day long seminars on the TTAP Method©.
The TTAP Method has received numerous awards including; New York State Therapeutic Recreation Association Distinguished Service Award in 2007. The New York State Therapeutic Recreation Association most innovative program award, and the New York City METRO award for Special Recognition. Additionally, I have been nominated for the highest award given by the American Therapeutic Recreation Association, The Distinguished Fellow Award for 2008. To date, the book has been purchased by over 75 university libraries across the United States. Lastly, but most significant, I am a recipient of two Fulbright Specialist Awards (2007/2009) in Global Health.
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